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Day 111

Psalm 51:1a "Have mercy upon me, O God..."

Day 111 – Psalm 51

“Have mercy upon me, O God…” Psalm 51:1a

SUPERSCRIPTION

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba.”

The significance of this long superscription is to give the historical context in which Psalm 51 was written. The tone of the superscription is not one of condemnation. David displayed complete honesty when he wrote about how he felt as guilt and remorse set in!

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT

David had desired Bathsheba. He then plotted the death of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, in order to marry her (2 Samuel 11-12). God sent Nathan the prophet with a strong word of rebuke. The son that David had with Bathsheba would die!

PRAYING TO GOD IN TIMES OF DARK DESPAIR

Could a person who has sinned so gravely as David still turn to God? Could he ever hope that God would even hear his prayer, let alone answer him?

INTERPRETING PSALM 51

How should we read and interpret Psalm 51? Let us attempt to read Psalm 51 theologically rather than just historically. Let us attempt to read this penitential psalm as a showcase of the glory of God’s tender mercies!

The apostle Paul was right when he highlighted the glory of God’s grace and mercy. Let us read and interpret Psalm 51 in the light of the following texts! These truths may be articulated in the New Testament, but these truths have always existed, because they reflect the glorious attributes of God!

1. Abounding grace

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”
Romans 5:20

2. Redemption

“In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of
His grace, which He made to abound toward us in
all wisdom and prudence.”
Ephesians 1:7-8

3. God’s great love

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great
love with which He loved us.”
Ephesians 2:4

4. No condemnation

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who
are in Christ Jesus…”
Romans 8:1